Ctatde j



(No Model.)

C. J. COLEMAN.

ELECTRIC CIGAE LIGHTER.

Patented Deo. 11,194.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLYDE J, COLEMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ROBERT BURNS, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC ClGAR-LIGHTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 530,637, dated December l1, 1894.

Application filed March 24. 1894. Serial No. 505.003. (No model.)

This invention relates to that class of elec` tric cigar lighters in which, an exposed conductor of an infusible nature, is heated to incandescence by the passage of an electric current to afford means forlighting a cigar, and more especially tothe automatic type of such lighters in which the act of raising the lighter device for use, places the exposed incandescing conductor, in the electric circuit, while the act of releasing the lighter device, after a light has been obtained, cuts such conductor out of circuit; and the present improvement has for its object, to provide in combination with such means for affording a heated conductor for cigar lighting uses, an automatic circuit 4 switch mechanism of a simple, durable and efficient form, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims. I attain such object by the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, is a perspective view illustrating the general arrangement of a cigarlighter constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2, an enlarged longitudinal section of the body portion, of the lighter in position of non-use, with the incandescing conductor out of circuit; Fig. 3, a similar View of the parts in position of use, with the incandescing conductor in circuit; and Fig. 4, a detail cross section of the mercury vessel showing the transverse arrangement of the electric contact points.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several views.

Referring to the drawings 1, represents the main body of the lighter; 2, a depending handle, by which the lighter is manipulated, and 3, a lateral upwardly bent goose neck, to which is attached the flexible cord or tubing 4, by which the lighter is suspended and through whichpass the electric conductors 5 and G, by which electricity is supplied to the implement, and as so arranged the lighter bodyand handle, will assume an inclined position when at rest in a suspended manner, substantially as indicated in Fig. 2.

At the front of the body portion l, of the lighter is arranged a plate or disk 7 of porcelain or other equivalent material, that is secured in place by means of a fixed ledge S, in the interior of the body, and the annular screw ring 9, that has a coned orifice, to act as a guide for the cigar in obtaining a light. Upon the outer or exposed surface of this plate '7, is arranged an incandescing conductor l0, of platinum wire or other like material in the form of a volute or other equivalent shape, the ends of such wire or conductor passing into the interior of the main body or housing 1, and one end is connected directly to one leading in wire or conductor 5, and the other in an indirect manner with the other leading in wire or conductor 6,through an automatic circuit closer 11.

In the present invention the automatic circuit closer consists of a casing 11, having a horizontal bore, l1', arranged longitudinally within the main body or housing 1, and having closed ends as shown. 12 is a body of mercury arranged within such bore or chamber 11, which when the forward end of the chamber is tilted up in the use ot the cigar lighter, as indicated in Fig. 3, will tlow tothe rear end of the chamber and complete the circuit between the contact points or wires 13 and 14, that are arranged to pass in through the walls of such chamber near its rear end, and have respective connections with the leading in Wire 6, and the one end of the incandescing conductor lO. When the chamber is depressed posterior-ly, as indicated in Fig. 2, which occurs when the implement is not in use and hangs suspended, the body of mercury flows to the forward end of such chamber away from the contact points 13 and 14:, breaking the'electric circuit between the same, and cutting the iucandescing conductor out of circuit.

Having thus fully described my said invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-m l. ln an electric cigar lighter, the combination cf the pendent lighter casing carrying an incandescing conductor and having a weighted handle, a suspending cord attached laterally to the casing and inclosing the electric cond uctors, a circuit closer consistingof closed casing arranged in a removable manner in the interior of the lighter casing, and containing a body ot' mercury, and contact points passing into the interior of such circuit closer casing so as to contact with the body of mercury, when the same flows downward in such casing, in the operation of raising thelighter for use, substantially as herein described.

2. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination ofthe pendent lighter casing carrying an incandescing conductor and having a weighted handle, a suspending cord attached laterally to the casing and inclosing the electric conductors, a circuit closer consisting of a closed casing arranged longitudinally in a removable manner, in theinterior of thelighter casing and containing a body of mercury, and contact points passing into the interior of such circuit closer casing near the rear end of the same, substantially as set forth.

3. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of the pendent lighter casing having a weighted handle, a suspending cord attached laterally to the casing and inclosing the electric conductors, a plate or disk 7 of insulating material secured to the trout of the lighter body, an incandescing conductor l0, attached to said plate and arranged in circuit with the line conductor, a circuit closer consisting of a closed casing arranged in a removable manner in the interior of the lighter casing, and containing a body of mercury, and contact points passing into the interiorot the circuit closer casing near the rear end of the same, 4o

substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof witness my hand this 20th day of March, 1894:.

CLYDE J. COLEMAN.

In presence of- ROBERT BURNS, JAMES LAVALLIN. 

